Context: The Indian mutual fund industry is witnessing a shift in factor-based investing — from predominantly passive strategies to increasingly active factor fund offerings. With multiple new fund launches and growing investor interest, the active quant investing trend is gaining ground in 2025. What Are Factor-Based Funds? Factor funds build portfolios based on specific investment factors such as: Traditionally, such strategies were implemented through passive index funds or ETFs. However, a new wave of active fund launches is reshaping the space. Recent Active Factor Fund Launches (2023–2025) Fund House Fund Type Launch Status ICICI Prudential MF Active Momentum Fund NFO open Bandhan MF Multi-Factor Fund NFO open Sundaram MF Multi-Factor Fund NFO closed (July 2025) Kotak MF Active Momentum Fund To be launched (July 2025) Mirae Asset MF Multi-Factor Fund (FoF route) Upcoming Samco MF Active Momentum Fund Launched in 2023 Union MF, Nippon India, Motilal Oswal Active Momentum Funds Launched previously WhiteOak, ICICI Pru Active Quality Funds Launched SBI MF Quant Fund (Multi-Factor) Ongoing Why the Shift from Passive to Active Factor Funds? Market Dynamics Are Evolving Advantages of Active Factor Strategies Example: The ICICI Pru Active Momentum Fund combines price and earnings momentum, unlike passive funds that only consider price.
Long-Billed Bush Warbler
Context: A team of seasoned birders has successfully rediscovered the long-billed bush warbler (Locustella major) in the Suru Valley of Ladakh — a species not confirmed in the region since 1979. Ecological and Scientific Significance TOI
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Context: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has introduced stricter registration and disclosure requirements for non-profit entities executing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities on behalf of companies, aimed at curbing misuse and aligning CSR funding with tax compliance and financial scrutiny. Key Highlights: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a business approach where companies integrate social and environmental concerns into their operations and interactions with stakeholders. It’s a way for businesses to voluntarily contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment, going beyond just profit-making. Key Aspects of CSR Examples of CSR Activities Type of CSR Activity Examples Philanthropy Donations to NGOs, funding schools or hospitals Volunteering Employees participating in community clean-ups or literacy missions Environmental Initiatives Renewable energy use, recycling programs, carbon offsetting Ethical Supply Chains Ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions in supplier factories Community Development Infrastructure support, skill training, sanitation and healthcare drives
Akash Prime Missile System
Context: India conducted a successful high-altitude trial of the Akash Prime surface-to-air missile in Ladakh, a key step towards strengthening its indigenous air defence capabilities in mountainous terrain. What is Akash Prime? Feature Description Type Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Developer DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) Partners Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) Purpose To neutralize aerial threats—drones, aircraft, and cruise missiles—in high-altitude areas PIB
Swachh Survekshan 2024–25
Context: President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 awards at a national felicitation event organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). About Swachh Survekshan Feature Details Conducted by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Objective To promote cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitation through healthy competition Participation 4,500+ cities; 14 crore citizens engaged via apps, feedback, campaigns Framework Based on “One City, One Award” principle Assessment Parameters Garbage Free City (GFC) star rating, source segregation, ODF status, public toilets, beautification, citizen feedback New Initiatives in 2024–25 Award Winners: Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Cleanest Big Cities (Population 10 lakh+) Rank City 1st Ahmedabad 2nd Bhopal 3rd Lucknow 3–10 Lakh Population Category Rank City 1st Mira-Bhayandar 2nd Bilaspur 3rd Jamshedpur Best Ganga Town: Prayagraj Best Cantonment Board: Secunderabad Cantonment SaifaiMitra Surakshit Shehar (Sanitation Worker Safety) About Super Swachh League (SSL) Feature Details Purpose Recognizes cities with sustained performance in cleanliness over years Eligibility GFC 3-star+ rating, consistent performance in ODF++, segregation, and waste collection Segments Based on population: above 10 lakh, 3–10 lakh, below 3 lakh, below 1 lakh Top Inductees Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Vijayawada, Chandigarh, Mysuru, etc. (23 cities in total) PIB
SEBI Penalty Rationalisation Framework Nears Finalisation
Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is in the final stages of rationalising penalties imposed on stock brokers, aiming to bring greater fairness, proportionality, and operational clarity to its enforcement practices. A sub-committee constituted for this review submitted its recommendations to SEBI last week, and SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey recently held discussions with broker representatives. Key Recommendations by the Committee Severity-Based Enforcement Single Point of Penalty Enforcement Change in Terminology Additional Steps in Progress BS
Global Findex Report 2025 by World Bank
Context: Over a third of bank account holders in India were no longer using the banking facilities and had inactive accounts, a World Bank report titled ‘Global Findex 2025’ said, as it cited Jan Dhan Yojana accounts as one of the likely reasons for the country’s high share of account inactivity. Key Highlights: India’s Bank Account Inactivity Among the Highest Role of Jan Dhan Yojana Why Are Accounts Inactive in India? According to survey respondents: Comparative Trends BS
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 17 July, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz17 July, 2025 National Affairs 1. Delhi to Develop India’s First Net-Zero E-Waste Eco Park Context: The Delhi government has unveiled plans to build India’s first-of-its-kind net-zero emission e-waste eco park in Holambi Kalan, North Delhi, as part of a national push toward circular economy models. The facility will be modeled on global best practices and is expected to significantly reduce Delhi’s e-waste pollution burden. Key Highlights: Project Vision and Location India’s E-Waste Crisis Eco Park Features TH 2. UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report 2025 Released by: United Nations at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)Timeframe: Five years left to achieve SDG 2030 AgendaGlobal Warning: 35% of measurable SDG targets are stagnating or reversing Key Highlights: SDG 2: Zero Hunger SDG 4: Quality Education SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities SDG 14: Life Below Water SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being SDG 12, 15, 16: Responsible Consumption, Life on Land, Peace & Justice Negative Trends Undermining SDG Progress Positive Developments Noted in the SDG Report 2025 3. Gujarat Launches India’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project Context: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, Gujarat has launched the Tribal Genome Sequencing Project to build a reference genetic database of its tribal population. The goal is to improve healthcare access and deliver precision medicine tailored to genetic profiles of indigenous communities. Key Details: Feature Details Launched by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) Target Population 2,000 tribal individuals across 17 tribal-dominated districts of Gujarat Purpose Build a tribal genetic database to guide precision medicine Type of Project Genomic research + healthcare equity + policy tool Coverage Multiple tribal communities for inclusive representation and genetic diversity Major Objectives of the Project Salient Features Banking/Finance 1. SEBI Proposes Shift in Valuation of Gold, Silver ETFs to Domestic Spot Prices Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released a consultation paper proposing a revised valuation methodology for physical gold and silver held by mutual funds through Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). The aim is to bring greater transparency, consistency, and alignment with Indian market realities. Key Highlights of SEBI’s Proposal Current Practice Proposed Changes Impact on Asset Management Companies (AMCs) BS 2. RBI Reviews Unified Lending Interface (ULI) Rollout Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) convened a meeting with banks and NBFCs to assess progress and address challenges in scaling up the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) a digital public infrastructure likened to UPI for loans. Purpose of ULI Adoption Challenges RBI Action Way Forward TET 3. Global Findex Report 2025 by World Bank Context: Over a third of bank account holders in India were no longer using the banking facilities and had inactive accounts, a World Bank report titled ‘Global Findex 2025’ said, as it cited Jan Dhan Yojana accounts as one of the likely reasons for the country’s high share of account inactivity. Key Highlights: India’s Bank Account Inactivity Among the Highest Role of Jan Dhan Yojana Why Are Accounts Inactive in India? According to survey respondents: Comparative Trends BS 4. SEBI Penalty Rationalisation Framework Nears Finalisation Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is in the final stages of rationalising penalties imposed on stock brokers, aiming to bring greater fairness, proportionality, and operational clarity to its enforcement practices. A sub-committee constituted for this review submitted its recommendations to SEBI last week, and SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey recently held discussions with broker representatives. Key Recommendations by the Committee Severity-Based Enforcement Single Point of Penalty Enforcement Change in Terminology Additional Steps in Progress BS 5. Fitch Ratings: RBI’s Liquidity Infusion to Facilitate 100 bps Rate Cut in 2025 Context: Fitch Ratings has assessed the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) recent liquidity management actions and confirmed that these efforts will support monetary policy transmission, particularly in view of the anticipated 100 basis points (bps) rate cut in 2025. Key Highlights: Massive Liquidity Injection in 2025 CRR Cut to Release Additional Funds Monetary Transmission Support Mint 6. EximPe Secures RBI’s In-Principle Approval for Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) Licence Context: EximPe, a fintech startup specializing in cross-border payment solutions, has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a Payment Aggregator–Cross Border (PA-CB) licence, positioning itself to serve India’s growing digital exports and global trade flows. What Is a PA-CB Licence? About EximPe BS Agriculture 1. Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) Context: The Union Cabinet approved the “Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana”, or PMDDKY, to enhance agricultural productivity and increase adoption of sustainable agricultural practices across the country. PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) is a flagship initiative aimed at transforming Indian agriculture. Announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, the scheme focuses on enhancing productivity and promoting sustainable farming. Financial Outlay and Duration Convergence of Schemes Objective of PM-DDKY To boost agriculture and allied sectors by: Key Features Implementation Mechanism Monitoring and Evaluation Expected Outcomes PIB & TH 2. ICAR’s 97th Foundation Day Context: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 97th Foundation Day on 16 July 2025 in New Delhi, marked by the participation of farmers, agricultural scientists, and policymakers. Union Minister of Agriculture addressed the gathering and announced several transformative initiatives aimed at sustainable and technology-driven farming. About ICAR – Indian Council of Agricultural Research Parameter Details Established 16 July 1929 (as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research) Headquarters New Delhi Governing Ministry Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Reconstitution Under Societies Registration Act, 1860 Parent Body Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) President (Ex-Officio) Union Agriculture Minister ICAR: Role and Mandate Major Announcements on ICAR’s 97th Foundation Day Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan Field-Guided Research Agenda Natural Farming Promotion Fertilizer Testing Kits Toll-Free Grievance Redressal System Ethical Pricing and MoU Norms 3. India–Argentina 2nd Joint Working Group Meeting on Agriculture Context: India and Argentina convened the 2nd Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting on Agriculture, reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors. The
Gujarat Launches India’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
Context: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, Gujarat has launched the Tribal Genome Sequencing Project to build a reference genetic database of its tribal population. The goal is to improve healthcare access and deliver precision medicine tailored to genetic profiles of indigenous communities. Key Details: Feature Details Launched by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) Target Population 2,000 tribal individuals across 17 tribal-dominated districts of Gujarat Purpose Build a tribal genetic database to guide precision medicine Type of Project Genomic research + healthcare equity + policy tool Coverage Multiple tribal communities for inclusive representation and genetic diversity Major Objectives of the Project Salient Features
ICAR’s 97th Foundation Day
Context: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 97th Foundation Day on 16 July 2025 in New Delhi, marked by the participation of farmers, agricultural scientists, and policymakers. Union Minister of Agriculture addressed the gathering and announced several transformative initiatives aimed at sustainable and technology-driven farming. About ICAR – Indian Council of Agricultural Research Parameter Details Established 16 July 1929 (as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research) Headquarters New Delhi Governing Ministry Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Reconstitution Under Societies Registration Act, 1860 Parent Body Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) President (Ex-Officio) Union Agriculture Minister ICAR: Role and Mandate Major Announcements on ICAR’s 97th Foundation Day Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan Field-Guided Research Agenda Natural Farming Promotion Fertilizer Testing Kits Toll-Free Grievance Redressal System Ethical Pricing and MoU Norms
